Newborn jaundice is a very common condition described as a yellowing of a baby’s skin and the white part of the eyes. The condition begins in the first 5 days of life. Jaundice is a sign that the baby is having high levels of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells.

Newborns are born with a liver that is still developing and it might not be mature enough to remove bilirubin, unlike older babies and adults whose livers process bilirubin and pass it through the intestinal tract.

Newborn jaundice symptoms:

• Yellowing of the baby’s skin and eyes that begins within 2 to 4 days after birth.
• Having a high-pitched cry.
• Baby laziness and sleepiness.
• Inability to suck well.

What causes newborn jaundice?

Newborns commonly have jaundice because their bodies have more bilirubin than they can get rid of. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when the body breaks down old red blood cells. It leaves the body through urine and stool. When you are pregnant, your body removes bilirubin from your baby through the placenta. After birth, however, your baby's body must get rid of the bilirubin on its own. Jaundice occurs sometimes because the baby’s organs are not yet able to get rid of excess bilirubin very well.

Other less common causes might also include:

• Infections
• Liver issues
• Problems with the baby's digestive system
• Abnormality in the baby’s red blood cells

Babies who are at a higher risk of developing jaundice:

• Babies whose blood type isn’t compatible with the blood type of their mother
• Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• Babies who are not getting enough breast milk or formula

How to deal with newborn jaundice:

It is important to contact your doctor if you notice signs of jaundice in your baby. The condition is highly treatable, but it may cause many health problems if left untreated, such as brain damage, deafness or cerebral palsy.

If jaundice was mild and bilirubin levels were within the normal range, it will usually resolve on its own as the baby’s liver begins to mature. Frequent feedings will help babies pass bilirubin through their bodies.

If bilirubin levels were higher than the normal range for newborns, the baby must stay in the hospital under a special light to treat the condition. This type of treatment is called phototherapy.

Do not try to treat jaundice by placing your baby in the sun or near a window because it does work. Special lights and controlled surroundings are always needed to treat jaundice safely.